Solemnity of St. Joseph

The St. Joseph Altar (or table) is Sicilian in origin. During a terrible famine in the Middle Ages, the people of Sicily pleaded to St. Joseph, their patron saint, for relief. Their prayers were answered as gentle rains fell to fill dry wells and streams and gave birth to crops. These poor farmers and fishermen wanted to pay homage to St. Joseph for answering their prayers. Since their very being was dependent on a fruitful harvest and the yield from the sea, they decided to offer these, their most valuable possessions to St. Joseph. The first St. Joseph Altar set up on the island of Sicily was a small one.
 
Even though at times it was a great sacrifice, the tradition continued as a labor of love and devotion on the feast day of St. Joseph, March 19. At first the altars were erected in family homes, usually in thanksgiving for favors granted, such as deliverance from the ravages of war or the healing of body or spirit of a loved one. When the Sicilians emigrated to the United States over a century ago, they brought this custom with them.
 
The Altar is set up in three tiers, representing the Holy Trinity. A statue of St. Joseph is placed on the top tier, usually surrounded by flowers, greenery and fruit.

Brochures with more history and explainations are available on our St. Joseph table, and below under 'documents.'

Feast days or other devotional days dedicated to St. Joseph are:

• December 27: the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
• March 19: the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• May 1:  the Optional Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker
• the nineteenth day of each month
• every Wednesday, the traditional day of the week for devotions to Saint Joseph

Memorare to St. Joseph

Remember, O most chaste Spouse of the Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who implored your help and sought your intercession was left unassisted.
Full of confidence in your power, I fly unto you, and beg your protection.
Despise not, O foster-father of the Redeemer,
my humble supplication, but in your bounty, hear and answer me. Amen.
 

To St. Joseph for Protection

Gracious St. Joseph,
protect me and my family from all evil as you did the Holy Family.
Kindly keep us ever united in the love of Christ,
ever fervent in imitation of the virtue of our Blessed Lady,
your sinless spouse, and always faithful in devotion to you. Amen.
 

Prayer to Saint Joseph to Know One's Vocation

O Great Saint Joseph,
you were completely obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Obtain for me the grace to know the state of life
that God in His providence has chosen for me.
Since my happiness on earth, and perhaps even my final happiness in heaven,
depends on this choice, let me not be deceived in making it.

Obtain for me the light to know God's Will, to carry it out faithfully,
and to choose the vocation, which will lead me to a happy eternity.
 

Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great,
so strong, so prompt before the throne of God,
I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession,
and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.
 
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you,
and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.